The Town of Northwood, New Hampshire - Conservation Commission Minutes 07/01/08

PUBLIC INPUT
UNH – Carbon Storage
Rich MacLean is present from the UNH Department of Natural Resources. He explains that he is in the process of beginning a project of carbon storage. Mr. MacLean states that this is a multi investigative study with two goals to look into above and below ground between forest patches of different sizes and to establish long term monitoring.

Further explanation is provided regarding looking into areas of land under conservation easements within the area to set up funds to address both goals simultaneously. Mr. MacLean adds that they are looking into the easements for some assurance that the areas will remain.

Mr. MacLean requests permission of the conservation commission to work on the Giles Lot town forest located on Upper Deerfield Road and the School Lot town forest located on Lucas Pond Road.

Mr. Roy asks about the land owned by UNH adjacent to Saddleback Mountain. Mr. MacLean replies that UNH can access these parcels and conduct manipulative studies, cutting, and soil tests. With the town forests they will not be making any changes. Mr. Roy explains that the aforementioned lots are within the town’s forest management plan and will be cut as part of the plan.

Mr. MacLean provides a map of the areas. He explains that the Giles lot occupies the same forest fragment as the Saddleback Mountain UNH plot. By having plots in both will increase the amount of sampling that they are doing within a single forest fragment, which helps cover variability within the fragment. He adds that it also helps to cover any variability that could be caused by location.

Mr. MacLean continues to explain that within the normal plots that will not be manipulated, as shown on the map, the plan is to disturb as little as possible. The only type of destructive measurement taken will be soil measurements. Sampling will be done on a two to three year interval and be done by small diameter soil cores of 3”-4” around. He further explains quantitative soil samples, initially for the first year only. The goal would that they would be set up for the long term of 30 years, providing that there is funding.

Additional discussion is held regarding monuments. Mr. MacLean states that to address concerns with private and public owners, the plot locations will be marked by buried rebar stakes and GPS as they want to maintain the plot locations.

Mr. Roy asks if there are any conservation restrictions for the Giles and School lots. Ms. Smith replies that she does not recall any restrictions on these two specific lots only the Lalish parcel; however, if there are any, it would be noted within the management plan.

Conservation easement, deed restrictions, and the town’s watersheds are mentioned. The Wallman property easement is also discussed.

Mr. Roy states that Mr. MacLean should contact the selectmen. Ms. Smith states that the conservation commission controls the town forest land; however, the Lalish parcel is under the jurisdiction of the selectmen. Mr. MacLean explains that UNH is not planning to set up any contractual agreements; however, they are looking for verbal agreements. He adds that all of the legal liabilities are covered by UNH.

Mr. Roy suggests a letter be sent to the BOS when it is determined which lots UNH is interested in. Mr. MacLean adds that UNH is looking at 45 lots and are hoping to end up with 25 lots. Mr. Roy asks for input from the board members. Mr. Ryan suggests that the benefits to the town be noted in the letter as well. Mr. Roy states that the commission could send a memo to the selectmen supporting the project.

Mr. MacLean states that the hope is to expand the monitoring part of the project, beyond the scope of what is started in Northwood, to a much more regional level.

Mr. Roy motions to send a memo of support of the project to the selectmen in conjunction with Mr. MacLean’s letter. Jim Ryan seconds and the motion passes unanimously; 5/0.

Forester Bids Progress
Robert Graves, III is present regarding a letter he received requesting forestry bids. Mr. Graves states that he is not a licensed forester; however, will be next year. He currently works for forester, John Conde. He confirms that the deadline of the bid is July 15 and provides some materials for the commission to review.

Discussion is held regarding the current forest management plan which was compiled in the late 80’s and published in 1990. Mr. Graves states that he has reviewed the current plan and feels that it is adequate. He adds that he does not feel that the town needs to have a complete overhaul as far as soil types. He notes that some boundary lines may have been moved since 1990 by adding lots or easements. He states that he does not know how much of the plan has been implemented. Mr. Graves explains that boundary work, which is blazing and painting, may be necessary as paint fades and blazes heal over.

Mr. Roy explains that the plan is also to include the commission, the management plan is followed, and addressed annually. Mr. Graves states that he is looking for a template and applying recommendations annually.

Volume and value are discussed. Mr. Graves notes that the volume estimates need to be updated. He feels that the entire plan does not need to be redone. Additional discussion is held regarding the maps and the fact that they need to be updated. Mr. Roy states that he is not aware that the town has adopted any additional lots into the forest management plan. Mr. Graves further explains the different types of trees in the forests.

Mr. Roy explains that the commission has not reviewed any quotes at this time and will submit recommendations to the selectmen. He suggests that Mr. Graves provide something in writing as to a scope of work and costs involved.

MINUTES:
June 3, 2008: Pauline Lemelin makes a motion, second by Steve Roy, to approve the minutes of 6/3/08, as amended as follows:
Page 1: Hampl (spelling)
Page 2: Change: …conflicts possible to …possible conflicts
Page 2: Change: …is… to …effort has…
Page 2: Add: NH
Page 2: Delete: …for a component of the town to hand over.
Page 3: Delete: …per and add for additional…
Page 4: Add …after the treatment.
Motion passes; 3/0/2. Wini Young and Jim Ryan abstain.

OTHER BUSINESS
NALMC Trail Correspondence
Ms. Young states that the trail is about 5 miles around. She explains that the town did not have to sign the agreement as the state has given permission for NALMC to cut a trail 500 yards long in order to connect a trail from the park to the Wallman property. She states that opening day is July 19 and she will be meeting with the selectmen July 8. Hiking signs are discussed and determined
to not be a necessity as the road is a public way.

NCC Procedures
Ms. Smith explains that she has drafted a set of conservation commission general operating procedures for the commissions’ review. She adds that it is a necessity for each board to have a set of operating procedures. She utilized three other towns for examples. Members are to review and this will placed on the August agenda.

Lucas Pond
Mr. Roy states that as a result of the recent meeting held with other town committees and the selectmen, Mr. Roy makes a motion, second by Wini Young, to appoint Mike Matson as the CC representative to the Woodman Park Study Committee. Mr. Ryan notes that Ms. O’Neil has expressed some interest as well and suggests that the commission wait until both members are present. Ms. Young notes that she believes that Ms. O’Neil’s interest is more in regards to the beach aspect rather than the boat launch and Mr. Matson has been the CC representative for the boat launch. Mr. Ryan states that he feels that there is a perception that Ms. O’Neil is biased. Further discussion is held regarding the process as to how the park committee will be created and the funds available for further work that Underwood will be doing. Mr. Roy states that with the remaining funds of $3,000. will cover for any emergency items that need to be addressed. Mr. Roy states that he agrees with Ms. Young that Mr. Matson has been representing the commission’s viewpoint, and that Ms. O’Neil may have another goal and may want to be a part of the park committee as a private citizen. Mr. Ryan states that there may be an opportunity for a co-contributor. Ms. Lemelin feels that the commission should wait for both of them to be here. Mr. Hampl states that they both have worked diligently on this issue. Mr. Roy and Ms. Young withdraw the motion and second. This matter will be further discussed at the next meeting.

Forester Bids
Ms. Smith states that the information was sent out to nearby foresters per the board’s request. She adds that nothing has been received to date. The commission requests that a letter be sent to Charlie Moreno notifying that the BOS are requiring the conservation commission to get quotes for an update of the forest management plan and that his quote is still on file and will be part of the decision. Also provide him an opportunity to add or change any information.

Appraisal/Land Projects
A discussion is held regarding the documents provided to town counsel relative to the Low project. Ms. Smith states that nothing new has been received. She adds that she will gather the correspondence of the transaction and will provide it to the board.

Mr. Roy asks who purchases the property and the process of obtaining the property. Ms. Smith replies that the CC will purchase the land. She notes that the CC would request the treasurer to release the funds to the property owners. The attorney would then record the deed.

Jim Ryan makes a motion to authorize Steve Roy to review and finalize any documents and bring it back to the CC for approval. Second by Pauline Lemelin. Motion passes unanimously; 5/0.

Historical Marker
General discussion is held regarding historical markers. Ms. Young states that she has done some research as has Ms. Smith. Ms. Smith will obtain further pricing of aluminum plaques through Gemini and bring back to the board next month.

Appraisals & Land Projects
Mr. Roy explains that he would like to send out letters to properties within the Acorn Ponds area inquiring if property owners would be interested in doing similar projects and references the Low acquisition.

Conservation Commission Land Fund
Discussion is held regarding the use of land funds and if the plaque for obtained land through donations would be classified as an expenditure from the fund. Further discussion is held regarding concerns over any change in the percentage of funds going into the fund. Ms. Young notes that Bear Paw Regional Greenways has some projects in Northwood but none that are in need of town funding to move forward.

Applications
Ms. Smith notes there has been activity at the Docko site and Mr. Hickey has issued a cease and desists for the business as it appears that there has been some retail activity.

Bear Paw Invoice
Mr. Ryan makes a motion, second by Ms. Lemelin, to approve to pay the invoice for Bear Paw Regional Greenways for the 2008 dues for the NCC. Motion passes 4/0/1. Ms. Young abstains. Discussion is held regarding the amount of the dues; $100. or $200. Ms. Smith states that she will check into the amount.

Comprehensive Shoreland Protection Act (CSPA)
The CSPA clearly makes all towns in NH subject to a 50’ waterbody building setback for primary structures, and delete the rest of the paragraph.

CORRESPONDENCE
All correspondence is reviewed.

ADJOURNMENT:
Steve Hampl makes a motion, second by Jim Ryan, to adjourn at 9:08 p.m. Motion passes unanimously; 5/0.

Respectfully submitted,

Lisa Fellows-Weaver
Board Secretary

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